Shoah: Un film de Claude Lanzmann

Es increíble que este documental no sea mostrado en las escuelas, o pedido como trabajo obligatorio, si lo pensamos, un libro normal de enseñanza pre-universitaria obligatorio puede durar entre 8 a 12 horas leerlo, hace mucho años atrás se solicitaba leer El Quijote, un libro que por el mínimo toma 25 o 30 horas. Con esa retrospectiva, 10 horas y en formato audiovisual de un acontecimiento tan importante es bastante poco, de hecho el documental con la cantidad de horas no alcanza a satisfacer todos los puntos, teniendo Lanzmann que lanzar una versión con las mujeres por separado.La presentación de Criterion hace justicia a todo lo mencionado, el diseño impecable (es cautivador observar la caja), los documentos, ensayos y material complementario que no hacen más que fortalecer un documental que por si mismo vale la pena.No bajare la nota, pero si debo comentar que amazon no siempre cuida del todo los envios de estas películas con caja de cartón, siempre llega por uno que otro lado algún golpe, de hecho en esta oportunidad ha sido la única en la cual he pedido devolución por venir dañado el interior. Pese a eso, la devolución y reemplazo fue todo bastante rápido y poco engorroso.Si sabes inglés, merece la pena que consigas SHOAH y la veas al menos 1 vez en tu vida.

This documentary took the unusual approach of interviewing people involved in all aspects of the Holocaust - from "former" Nazis to residents of towns near the concentration/extermination camps to bureaucrats to survivors and family of survivors. Above all else this is a film about the human race and man's inhumanity to man. The most devastating was the interviews with the Polish women who lived in the village outside the extermination camp (Sobibor or Treblinka). They said the Jewish women "deserved to die" because they were all "beautiful" women who tempted their husbands (whom they completely absolve of any responsibility if they strayed) and who did "nothing all day." Residents of this same town had quickly moved into all the properties owned by evacuated Jews, paying nothing, then proudly claiming Polish patriotism and nationalism as "homeowners." It was difficult to hear.This is not a documentary for the faint of heart. This is real participants and survivors who have a story to tell, each from their unique perspective. That so many of the arguments in favor of annihilating Jews is still advocated around the world today is the most frightening aspect. This DVD is not a tear-jerker - it is an eye opener into who we were, who and what we are becoming, and how so many people now already (still) are.A monumental accomplishment. Get this and watch.

This is an extraordinary product in every way. As a unique view on the Holocaust it is unsurpassed and deeply moving. It should be seem by everyone with any interest in human relations as well as historians. I have watched this on VHS, DVD and now this astonishing Blu-ray and it never flags.The picture quality is significantly improved over the DVD which was vastly better than the VHS! Considering its age and the way in which it was filmed it could hardly be better. The image is also 1.37:1 and although it does not sound a lot it looks much larger than the 1.33:1 DVD. Sound is clear and subtitles crisp and well translated from the many languages spoken: French, Polish, German, Yiddish, Russian, Italian, Lithuanian, Hebrew amongst others. My only complaint is the policy of Criterion to not subtitle when English is spoken. Fortunately there is not a lot of English in this series but not to subtitle it is just stupid as it is so heavily accented it is almost another language. Someone in Criterion needs to wake up!The booklet is very informative if not quite as informative as the huge booklet that came with my Masters of Cinema DVD set.This by far the best way to view this masterpiece, without question one of the greatest achievements of all time in the history of cinema as a means of education.

Made at a time when there were many survivors still living; this is a graphic record of what was really taking place across Europe during World War II from the perspective of both perpetrator and victim and also the society surrounding them.Anyone interested in a truthful recounting of the events of the Holocaust should have this collection. It is difficult to comprehend how human beings can sink so low as to treat one another with such barbaric cruelty. And yet, history shows examples over and over again how humans can be either "the Crown of Creation" or lower than the lowest creature.It is highly unlikely, in this world and political climate of historical revisionism and denial, that anything like this could be made today.

All eyewitness interviews.

shoah has the most unique and emotionally effective angle on the Holocaust. The words of the survivors, bare and difficult, against the beauty of reclaimed forest and woodlands that could be anywhere, can only remind us that no special circumstances or people are required for the ugliest of human nature to show itself. We are as close as anyone has ever been to allow it to happen again. This series does not need archival footage that would distance us in black and white from history. It allows us to experience that NOW is all it takes and that people just like us can be ignorant and cruel without prior intent. What the survivors know that the rest of us have been spared is evident here, and will break your heart.